According to a study conducted at the University of Kuopio in Finland, midlife coffee drinking can decrease the risk of dementia - Alzheimer's later in life.

The study included participants from the survivors of population-based cohorts previously surveyed within the North Karelia Project and the FINMONICA study in 1972, 1977, 1982 or 1987 (midlife visit).

After an average follow-up of 21 years, 1409 individuals (71%) aged 65 to 79 completed the re-examination in 1998. A total of 61 cases were identified as demented (48 with Alzheimer's).

"We aimed to study the association between coffee and tea consumption at midlife and dementia - Alzheimer's risk in late-life, because the long-term impact of caffeine on the central nervous system was still unknown, and as the pathologic processes leading to Alzheimer's may start decades before the clinical manifestation of the disease," says lead researcher Miia Kivipelto.

At the midlife examination, the consumption of coffee and tea was assessed with a previously validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Coffee drinking was categorized into three groups: 0-2 cups (low), 3-5 cups (moderate) and >5 cups (high) per day. Further, the question concerning tea consumption was dichotomized into those not drinking tea (0 cup/day) vs. those drinking tea (≥1 cup/day).

The study found that coffee drinkers at midlife had lower risk for dementia and Alzheimer's later in life compared to those drinking no or only little coffee. The lowest risk (65% decreased) was found among moderate coffee drinkers (drinking 3-5 cups of coffee/day). Adjustments for various confounders did not change the results. Tea drinking was relatively uncommon and was not associated with dementia - Alzheimer's.

Kivipelto also notes that, "Given the large amount of coffee consumption globally, the results might have important implications for the prevention of or delaying the onset of dementia - Alzheimer's. The finding needs to be confirmed by other studies, but it opens the possibility that dietary interventions could modify the risk of dementia - Alzheimer's. Also, identification of mechanisms of how coffee exerts its protection against dementia - Alzheimer's might help in the development of new therapies for these diseases."

Related Articles


Scientists Make Progress in Preventative Alzheimer's Treatment Scientists have identified a molecule that can form the basis for a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease. This is the first step toward a treatment that could

Education May Help Brain Cope With the Damage Caused by Alzheimer's The theory that education can delay the onset of the dementia and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s has been bolstered in a study by scientists at the Alzheimer's

How Red Wine May Reduce the Incidence of Alzheimer's Alzheimer's researchers at UCLA have now discovered how red wine may reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's. Scientists call it the "French paradox", a society that,

Pain Relievers Increase Risk of Alzheimer’s in Elderly According to researchers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as the pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen, do not prevent Alzheimer's or other

Study Suggests Potential of Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer's In a world first, Dr. Andres M. Lozano and his team have shown using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on patients with early signs of Alzheimer's disease is safe and

References:
1. Marjo H. Eskelinen, Tiia Ngandu, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Hilkka Soininen, Miia Kivipelto. Midlife Coffee and Tea Drinking and the Risk of Late-Life Dementia: A Population-based CAIDE Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 16(1), xx-xx. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.2136
2. Image by rudat

Add comment

User Name (Required)

E-mail (Required - Never shown publicly)

Website (Optional)

Notify me of follow-up comments

If you cannot read the code click to refresh for a new code.

Add comment

Cancel